Hydrangea plant named ‘BCHY-14.003’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BCHY-14.003’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The variety ‘BCHY-14.003’ has attractive inflorescences with relatively small sepalous florets, bi-color sepals, showy inflorescences, a compact growth habit and good commercial characteristics, including long-lasting infloresences.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-14.003’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCHY-14.003’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-14.003’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the patented variety ‘BC9.2’—U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,758—which was the seed parent and the variety known to the inventor as ‘Charm’ which was the pollen parent. The seed parent, ‘BC9.2’, has large attractive inflorescences, florets with a distinct pigmentation pattern, and desirable characteristics for commercial production of ornamental plants for growing and transport in pots.

The variety ‘BCHY-14.003’ has relatively small sepalous florets and the upper sides of the sepals of the sepalous florets are predominantly white with a pigmented outer rim. On the under sides of the sepals of the sepalous florets the pigmentation bleeds towards the center of the floret as the floret matures. ‘BCHY-14.003’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively small sepalous florets. ‘BCHY-14.003’ also has a compact growth habit which makes it suitable for growing in 4″ pots. The pigmentation pattern of the upper sides of the sepals is long lasting. Not only does the white pigmentation on the upper sides of the sepals persist with very little of the color of the outer rim bleeding toward the center, but the sepals also resist turning green as the infloresence ages. The inventor observed the pigmentation patern lasting on the upper sides of the sepals for 5 to 6 weeks when the plants were kept at 62 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 U.S. Plant Patent U.S. PP20, 705 U.S. Plant New Variety Plant Patent ‘Glory’ (Pollen Patent ‘BCHY- 23,758 Parent PP15,912 14.003’ ‘BC9.2’ of ‘BC9.2)’ ‘White Robe’ Leaf size 9.0 cm wide × 11 cm wide × 14.5 cm 16 cm wide × 11.0 cm long 16 cm long wide × 18.5 19 cm long cm long Plant 11″ in 6″ pot. 17″ in 6″ pot. 17″ in 6″ pot 17′ in 6″ pot height Stem Strong, but Strong, but Strong Strong strength benefits from benefits from being staked being staked Sepal Upper sides of Both sides of Upper side Both sides Pigmen- sepals are sepals are of sepals is of sepals tation R.H.S. 155 D R.H.S. 155 C R.H.S. 155D are R.H.S. (white group) (white (white group); 155 with edges of group) with Underside of D(white R.H.S. 59 B edges of sepals is group). (red - purple R.H.S. 63 A R.H.S. 155 D group). Under (red - purple (white group) side of sepals group). are R.H.S 155 D (white group) but pig- mentation of edges of R.H.S. 59 B (red - purple group) also bleeds toward center of floret as the floret ages. Sepalous 40 mm 50 mm 45 mm 65 mm to Floret 75 mm Size - Diameter

The new cultivar ‘BCHY-14.003’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BCHY-14.003’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an inflorescence.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an inflorescence.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the stem of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the panicle of the new variety.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of a floret.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown is approximately a year old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant.

‘BCHY-14.003’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, treatment with aluminum and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, developed in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled     cross between the patented variety ‘BC9.2’—U.S. Plant Pat. No.     23,758—which was the seed parent and the variety known to the     inventor as ‘Charm’ which was the pollen parent. -   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature     inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 11″ high and     has a diameter of 13″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil     amendments. -   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is showy. The     plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.     Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main     stems. -   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple     group) and are 1 to 3 mm long. The surface of young stems is     glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young     stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green     group). The older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown     group). Younger portions of the stems are 6 mm in diameter. Older     portions of the stems are 6 mm in diameter. -   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.     -   -   Shape of leaf.—Ovate with rounded base and acute apex.             Margins are serrate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the             leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface.         -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A             (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 A             (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and             veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on             the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 145 A             (yellow-green group). Leaves are as wide as 9.0 cm and 11.0             cm long. Petioles are smooth and approximately 2.5 cm long             and 4 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green             group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 5 to 6 connate, elliptic, smooth petals. The vast     majority of buds will develop into sepalous florets. They are     approximately 2 mm by 2 mm at full size and do not open. -   Aspect: Smooth. -   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual florets (both     sepalous and non-sepalous) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets     and non-sepalous florets borne on the same panicle. Flowers do not     produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the inflorescence is strong     and upright. A few non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes     that are later hidden by the sepalous florets. Florets do not open.     Inflorescences are long-lasting, up to six weeks. -   Size of inflorescence: Compact and globose Individual inflorescence     size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical inflorescence     can grow as large as 6″ in diameter, and 3″ high. -   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap     one another. Sepals are persistent. -   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   General: Florets do not typically open. Corolla: Generally, for both     sepalous and non-sepalous florets there are 5 to 6 petals. Petals     are typically 1 mm long and 1 mm wide. Petals range in color from     R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green group) to R.H.S. 155 B (white group) with     the non-sepalous florets being the darker green. Lenticels are     present on pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets,     lenticels range from 1 mm to 3 mm long and are very narrow.     Lenticels merge at pedicel branches. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B     (red-purple group). Pedicel length for non-sepalous florets is     typically 4 mm. Pedicel length of sepalous florets is approximately     12 mm in length for plants of this age. Pedicels of both sepalous     and non-sepalous florets continue to elongate as the inflorescence     ages. Pedicels are R.H.S. 155 D (white group).     -   -   Stamens.—Present but undeveloped in unopened florets.         -   Stigma.—Too small to observe as florets do not open.         -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior. -   Sepalous florets:     -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.         -   Number of sepals.—5 to 6 sepals per floret, usually 5.         -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.         -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are             entire, but with much crenation.         -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge             and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is             no space between the sepals. Sepals at maturity are             typically 20 mm long and 25 mm wide. Sepalous florets are             typically 40 mm in diameter. The upper sides of the sepals             are R.H.S. 155 D (white group) with edges of R.H.S. 59 B             (red-purple group). Under side of sepals are R.H.S 155 D             (white group) but pigmentation of edges of R.H.S. 59 B             (red-purple group) on the under sides of the sepals also             bleeds toward center of floret as the floret ages. The upper             sides of the sepals resist bleeding of the pigmented outer             rims toward the center. The sepals of the florets are also             resistant to greening as the florets age. -   Fruit: None. -   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BCHY-14.003’ substantially as herein illustrated and described. 